WORKFORCE CONNECTIONS - Vol 36

In This Issue:

State and Federal Policy Updates: Tax Rebates, FY22 Close Out, DOL Updates, UI and Economic Data Updates
MWA Updates: Register for the 13th Annual Jobs and Workforce Summit, November Workforce Webinar: Promoting Digital Equity, Racial Equity Resources, MWA Open Office Hours, Register for EMPath Disrupting Poverty Conference
Member Updates: MassHire Award Winners, MassHire Central Region WB at Day of Caring and Manufacturing Mash-Up, DOL Region 1 & 2 Virtual Youth Event
News From Around the Sector: Jobs, funding, news and updates

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PUBLIC POLICY UPDATES

State Public Policy

Billions to be Returned to MA Taxpayers

The Baker-Polito Administration announced details for the return of $2.9B in excess tax revenue to taxpayers this fall. As MWA reported in last month's newsletter, strong FY22 state tax revenues trigged “Chapter 62F" resulting in what was expected to be billions sent back to MA taxpayers.

In general, eligible taxpayers will receive a credit in the form of a refund that is approximately 13% of their State Tax Year 2021 personal income tax liability. This percentage is a preliminary estimate, and will be finalized in late October after all 2021 tax returns are filed. Refunds are expected to be distributed to approximately 3.6 million taxpayers beginning in November 2022. Individuals eligible for a refund will receive it automatically as a check sent through the mail or through direct deposit. For those interested in estimating their potential tax return, the Department of Revenue has developed a tool that can calculate your estimated refund based on 2021 tax information.

FY22 Close Out Bill Filed

On August 31st, the Baker-Polito Administration filed a closeout FY22 supplemental budget bill. H.5260 is a $840M spending bill that would invest in transportation, health and human services, school safety, and other fiscal year closeout needs. You can review the legislation and filing letter here. Currently the bill is still before the House Ways and Means Committee for further action.

August 2022 Unemployment and Economic Data

On September 16th, the state released the unemployment rate for August 2022 and the revised rate for July 2022. Click here to read the September 16th state press release. Massachusetts' August rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from July to 3.6 percent, 0.1 of a percentage point lower than the national rate for August. The MA labor force participation rate stayed at 65.8 percent, though up 0.1 of a percentage point from the prior year. The labor force decreased by 2,200 from July. Since July 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates Massachusetts gained 126,400 jobs. The largest over the year gains occurred in Leisure and Hospitality; Professional, Scientific, and Business Services; and Education and Health Services. Click here to read the state press release. Local unemployment estimates for August were released on 9/20. The most recent local press release can be found here.

Economic Analysis

The new president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Dr. Susan Collins, recently gave a talk with her assessment of the economy, believing a significant downturn can be avoided. Click here to read the transcript.

Federal Public Policy

Updates from D.C.

Congress Reaches an Agreement to Avoid Shutdown

On Tuesday, the Senate reached an agreement to pass a continuing resolution (CR) and keep the government funded through December 16th. In the end the Senate passed the measure by dropping some of the controversial provisions in order to win bipartisan support. In the first set of votes, the Senate approved it by a 72-23 margin. The President and Democratic leaders have indicated they will keep working to pass an FY23 appropriations bill.

DOL Announces Final Rule Rescinding IRAP

On September 23rd, U.S. DOL announced a final rule to rescind the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program, (IRAP). The Final Rule will go into effect on November 25th. Beginning on the effective date, DOL will no longer recognize Standards Recognized Entities (SREs) or IRAPs. For additional information on this Final Rule, please see the DOL Press Release.

MWA UPDATES

Register Today!

October 25th Jobs and Workforce Summit

Racial Justice in Workforce Development Resources

MWA is following the conversation among the workforce development and related communities about how racism and white supremacy influence the field and practice of workforce development. We will continue to use this newsletter to share relevant tools, articles, webinars and resources to support the workforce development community.

Save the Date for our next Workforce Webinar: Promoting Digital Equity

Join MWA on November 10th at 10AM for our next Workforce Webinar with the Mass Broadband Institute, a division of the MassTech Collaborative. MBI has recently launched two new programs, funded through the state's ARPA COVID recovery legislation, that are focused on bridging the digital divide in Massachusetts: the Digital Equity Partnerships Program, and the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program. MBI will talk about these programs and how they are planning to work with local communities to expand digital equity across Massachusetts, helping residents and businesses access 21st century opportunity. Click here to register.

Do you have a question for us? Want to just say Hi? Come to MWA's Open Office Hours!

Tonja and Raija always welcome hearing from our members, but we know that sometimes you just want to "drop by" to say hello or ask us something that doesn't need its own meeting. We welcome you to drop in to our (virtual) Open Office Hours on Thursday, October 13th at noon. E-mail Raija for the zoom link.

Register Today for EMPath's 2022 Disrupting Poverty Conference

Our Workforce Solutions Group partner, EMPath, is hosting their bi-annual conference next month. With opening remarks from EMPath’s new President & CEO Kim Janey, the public conference will feature keynotes from experts on what works in disrupting poverty. Collaborative breakout sessions will cover topics ranging from promoting economic mobility in early childhood to housing, guaranteed income, and sustainability and equity in human services. Exchange Member programming will run on October 18 and 19, while the Public Conference begins on October 19. Click here to learn more and register.

MassHire Award Winners Celebrated!

Congratulations to these MWA members for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the public workforce system in Massachusetts! The winners (in bold) were announced earlier this month at the MassHire Award Ceremony in Worcester. Check back here soon for the recording of remarks by Governor Baker, presentation of awards, and photos form the event. Keep an eye out for virtual workshops by the finalists in October and November.

Collaboration

John Nesti, Business Services, MassHire Greater Brockton

Daphne Nichols, Career Advisement, MassHire Greater Lowell

Lisa Chakalos Ryan, Business Services, MassHire Metro North

Ingenuity

Samantha Fonseca, Data/Program Management, MassHire Cape & Islands

Bruce R. Mendelsohn, Information Technology, MassHire Central Region

Jeff Cahill, Business Services, MassHire Greater Brockton

Living MassHire

Heather Shogry-Williams & Kat Toomey, Workforce Board Youth Team, MassHire Berkshire

Edward L. Gagne, Youth Services & Adult Literacy, MassHire Central region

Reliability

Melanie Herzig, Business Services, MassHire Berkshire

Phylis Gedeon, Youth Program, MassHire Hampden County

Debbie Lipton, Career Advisement, MassHire Metro North

Respect

Career Center Mass Internet Connect Team: Norma Cabral, Rodney Evans, Anira Moreno, Ashley Bonilla, Melinda Fitzsimmons, Kristy Reillo-Rosado, Tom Thacher, Kevin Lamson, Yaritza Colon-Baez, Kate Smith, David Serrano, Bud Delphin; MassHire Hampden County

Madeline Colon Rivera, Career Advisement, MassHire Greater Lowell

MassHire Central Region Workforce Board Staff Participate in Local "Day of Caring" and Manufacturing Mash-Up

MassHire Central Region Workforce Board staff volunteered at Mass Audubon's Brook Nature Preserve & Wildlife Sanctuary, digging holes for a new fence line for United Way of Central Mass' annual "Day of Caring." Following this, several staff then participated at the Manufacturing Mash-Up at Polar Park.

U.S. DOL to Host Virtual Knights of the Youth Roundtable

U.S. DOL Regions 1 and 2 will host a virtual two-day convening on September 28th and 29th. The event will provide a space for thought-leaders from the Northeast Region of the country who develop and execute youth employment programming and job placement efforts, to share continuous improvement strategies, to build capacity, to engage in interactive discussions, and to learn about innovative ideas that may improve youth service delivery with career pathway strategies. Click here to register.

Click here to register

Virtual Symposium: Mass Rehab Commission & Advocates for Human Potential

On Nov 2nd the Massachusetts Rehab Commission (MRC) & Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) are hosting a workforce symposium: A Workforce in Recovery: Best Practices for Recruiting and Retaining Skilled Employees. Attendees will hear from State legislators, employers, and employees with lived experience, all who will speak about the importance of including individuals in recovery from substance use disorders in the labor market.

Click here to register

NEWS FROM AROUND THE SECTOR

There are so many job postings and funding announcements, we moved our News from Around the Sector section to our website, where you can access the news, jobs, funding announcements and more anytime throughout the month. Go to: www.massworkforce.com/around-the-sector.

Here is a sample of the events, funding opportunities, jobs, and more posted on our website:

10/3 Event (in person): Providers Council 47th Annual Convention and Expo
10/6 Event (in person): Future of Work Conversation with Regional Leaders, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
11/2 Virtual Symposium: Mass Rehab Commission & Advocates for Human Potential - A Workforce in Recovery: Best Practices for Recruiting and Retaining Skilled Employees
The Mass Broadband Institute has issued two opportunities: Funding for the Digital Equity Partnerships Program (bidders conference 10/6)and an RFQ for Consultants to support the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program (bidders conference 9/28).